Signs & Symptoms of Stress

You have experienced a traumatic event or a critical incident (any event that causes unusually strong emotional reactions that have the potential to interfere with the ability to function normally). Even though the Event may be over, you may now be experiencing or may experience later, some strong emotional or physical reactions. It is very common, in fact quite normal, for people to experience emotional aftershocks when they have passed through a horrible event.

Sometimes the emotional aftershocks (or stress reactions) appear immediately after the traumatic event. Sometimes they may appear a few hours or a few days later. And, in some cases, weeks or months may pass before the stress reactions appear. The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or longer, depending on the severity of the traumatic event. The understanding and the support of loved ones usually cause the stress reactions to pass more quickly. Occasional I y, the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance may be necessary. This does not imply craziness or weakness. It simply indicates that the particular event was just too powerful for the person to manage by himself.

Here are some common signs and signals of a stress reaction:

Physical*

Cognitive

Emotional

Behavioral

Chills

Confusion

Fear

Withdrawl

Thirst

Nightmares

Guilt

Antisocial acts

Fatigue

Uncertainty

Grief

Inability to Rest

Nausea

Hypervigilance

Panic

Intensified Pacing

Fainting

Suspiciousness

Denial

Erratic Movements

Twitches

Intrusive images

Anxiety

Change in Social Activity

Vomiting

Blaming someone

Agitation

Change in Speech Patterns

Dizziness

Poor problem solving

Irritability

Loss or Increase in appetite

Weakness

Poor attention/ decisions

Deppression

Hyperalert to environment

Chest Pain

Poor concentration/memory

Intense anger

Increased alcohol consumption

Headaches

Disorientation of time, place, or person

Apprehension

Change in usual communications

Elevated BP

Difficulty identifying objects or people

Emotional Shock

Rapid Heart Rate

Hightened or lowered alertness

Emotional Outbursts

muscle Tremor

increased or decreased awareness or surroundings

Feeling Overwhelmed

Shock Symptoms

Loss of emotional control

Grinding of teeth

Innapropriate emmotional response

Visual Difficulties

Profuse Sweating

Difficulty Breathing

Contact NATCA CISM

Call: 202-505-2476 (CISM)

*Please leave a message and a CISM coordinator will get back to you ASAP.

Email: CISM@NATCA.net

OWCP

It is always recommended you file a CA-1 form in the event of an incident or accident. Signs and symptoms may occur immediately but could be delayed months or even years.

Further information regarding OWCP can be found on the NATCA website's OWCP Page.